Pet cabinet and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A piece of furniture and a method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention may include a cabinet having a housing with an open front portion, a false interior rear wall defining an electrical line routing space, and an electronic device supporting top tray for communicating with the electrical line routing space.

RELATED DOCUMENT

This application is related to Disclosure Document No. 606049, filed Sep. 14, 2006, and entitled “Doggie Tree or/and Canine Caddy,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a pet cabinet in the nature of a piece of furniture and a method of making it. It more particularly relates to a cabinet and a method of making it to store various pet items in a readily accessible and aesthetically pleasing manner and to facilitate connecting various electronic devices to an electrical power source.

BACKGROUND ART

This section describes the background of the disclosed embodiment of the present invention. There is no intention, either express or implied, that the background art discussed in this section legally constitutes prior art.

Many pet owners live in smaller houses or apartments, and thus face many challenges with respect to storing various pet items in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. For example, dog owners frequently need ready access to leashes, towels, toys, and dog waste bags, allowing for their easy retrieval when leaving their home with their dog. However, these various pet items do not complement the decor or most homes.

Furniture has been developed to conceal various pet items in a somewhat decorative manner. For example, the furniture described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0071519 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,839 and D481,496. However, all of these items include a cloth or drape cover for the concealment of the various pet items, which may easily be pulled from the furniture by a dog. Additionally, none of these furniture examples may be a particularly suitable style for certain rooms in an apartment or house, such as a foyer or an entranceway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of certain embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a left side vertical cross sectional view of a cabinet, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention and which is illustrated with certain of its drawers and shelves shown for illustration purposes;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cabinet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side vertical cross sectional pictorial view of the cabinet of FIG. 1, as viewed from beneath the cabinet looking upwards;

FIG. 4 is a left side vertical cross sectional pictorial view of the cabinet of FIG. 1, as viewed from above the cabinet looking downwards;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cabinet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is left side vertical cross sectional view of the cabinet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the cabinet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the cabinet of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the cabinet of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the cabinet of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the cabinet of yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the cabinet of still another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system, components and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the embodiments of the invention.

A piece of furniture and a method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention may include a cabinet having a housing with an open front portion, a false interior rear wall defining an electrical line routing space, and an electronic device supporting top tray for communicating with the electrical line routing space.

According to certain embodiments of the invention the electrical line routing space of the cabinet may further comprise at least one electrical line to provide power to at least one electronic device resting on the top tray of the cabinet. The at least one electrical line may be an extension cord. The extension cord may split one power source into at least two power sources.

The at least one electrical line may be fastened to the cabinet, such as to the housing or the false interior rear wall, by way of at least one fastening device. The at least one fastening device may include a cable management clip, a hook, Velcro, double sided tape, glue, or a combination thereof.

The at least one electronic device resting on the top tray of the cabinet may include an electric cable that may extend through an opening in the top tray into the electrical line routing space to connect to the at least one electrical line. The opening in the top tray may further include a cable management grommet for the extension of at least one electrical cable.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the cabinet may further comprise at least one support, wherein the at least one support may be at least one storage shelf, a drawer, or a combination thereof.

The at least one storage shelf may include a lower storage shelf and at least one upper storage shelf. The lower storage shelf may rest upon a rear wood support block and a front wood support block, and may be bent downwards at the front of the shelf to conceal the front wood support block when the cabinet is viewed from the front. The at least one upper storage shelf may be fastened to the housing by way of at least one fastening device, such as a bracket, a screw, a nail, a wood biscuit, a wood dowel, glue, or a combination thereof. The at least one upper storage shelf may be used to store various pet items, and may be bent upwards at the front of the shelf for containment of these various pet items.

The drawer may be comprised of a front drawer panel, a rear drawer panel, two side drawer panels, a bottom drawer panel, and a pair of drawer slides. The drawer may further comprise a decorative drawer front. The pair of drawer slides may be fastened to the side drawer panels and the cabinet housing. The drawer may further include a dispenser, wherein the dispenser may be a removable L-shaped dispenser, comprised of a vertical panel, a horizontal panel, and an opening within the horizontal panel, and wherein the dispenser may be used to dispense dog waste bags, tissues, disposable gloves, or a combination thereof.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the cabinet may further comprise a tray base, wherein the tray base may be fastened to the false interior rear wall by way of at least one fastening device, such as a bracket, a screw, a nail, a wood biscuit, a wood dowel, glue, or a combination thereof.

In further embodiments, the top tray may rest upon the tray base, and may be securely or removably fastened to the tray base by way of at least one fastening device, such as a magnet, Velcro, glue, double sided tape, a screw, a nail, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the top tray may be upholstered with a material, such as fabric, vinyl, leather, or suede.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the cabinet may be comprised of laminated wood, stained wood, plastic, stainless steel, or fiberglass. The cabinet may be U- or V-shaped throughout its axial height.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the false interior rear wall is moveable.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the cabinet may contain doors, which may be used to cover the open front.

Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1-4 and 6-7 each show a cabinet 10 with a rear support block 12 and a front support block 14 at its base. Attached to the bottom of support blocks 12 and 14 are furniture glides 16. A lower shelf 18 may be attached to the tops of support blocks 12 and 14 using wood glue, brackets, screws, nails, wood dowels, wood biscuits, or a combination thereof. The lower shelf 18 may have a downward bent front 19. The downward bent front 19 of lower shelf 18 may conceal the front support block 14 when the cabinet 10 is viewed from the front.

The support blocks 12 and 14, along with the lower shelf 18, may be surrounded by the open front cabinet housing 20. The housing 20 may be comprised of laminated wood and it may be U- or V-shaped throughout its axial height.

The cabinet may further contain at least one upper shelf 22. The at least one upper shelf 22 may be fastened to the cabinet housing 20 by way of brackets 24, or any other suitable fastening means, such as, a screw, a nail, a wood biscuit, a wood dowel, glue, or any combination thereof. The at least one upper shelf 22 may be used to hold various pet related items, and may have an upward bent front 25 to aid in the containment of these various pet related items.

The cabinet may further contain at least one drawer 26, wherein the drawer is comprised of a front drawer panel 30, a rear drawer panel 32, two side drawer panels 34, and a bottom drawer panel 36.The at least one drawer 26 may also include a decorative drawer front 38. The at least one drawer 26 may be attached to the cabinet by drawer slides 39 which are secured to the side drawer panels 34 and the housing 20.

A false interior rear wall 40 may be included in the cabinet 10, and may be inserted vertically between the back of the shelves 18 and 22 and drawer 26 and the inside of the housing 20, so that it rests upon the rear wood support block 12.

A tray base 42 may be attached to the housing 20, by an attachment means, such as brackets, screws, nails, wood biscuits, wood dowels, glue, or a combination thereof (not shown).

A top tray 46 may rest upon the top of the tray base 42. The top tray 46 may be fixedly or removably attached to the tray base 42 by a removable attachment means, such as magnets 48, or other attachment means, such as Velcro, glue, double sided tape, screws, nails, or a combination thereof (not shown). The top tray may be upholstered with a material, such as fabric, vinyl, leather, or suede (not shown).

FIGS. 1, 5, and 8-12 depict an opening 50 in the top tray, which may optionally contain a cable management grommet 52. The opening 50 and cable management grommet 52 both allow for the passage of cords from various electronic devices resting on the top tray 46 through the opening 50 and cable management grommet 52 and into the electrical line routing space 54, which is located between the back of the false interior rear wall 40 and the inside surface of the housing 20.

Once within the electrical line routing space 54, the electronic device cords may be connected to an extension cord 56, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Extension cord 56 may contain an outlet plug 58 for receiving electrical power, a wire cable 60 for transferring electrical power, a splitter box 62 for splitting the power from one cable to two or more sets of outlet cables 64 having outlets 65 for providing power. The outlet cables 64 may be attached to the cabinet 10, such as, for example, to the false interior rear wall 40 or the housing 20, by cable management clips 66.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, the cabinet 10 may include a leash hook 68 and a towel bar 70.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the cabinet 10. This exploded view also depicts the optionally included dispenser 72, which may be comprised of a vertical panel 74 and a horizontal panel 76, attached so as to create an L-shape. This arrangement creates a storage space 78 within the dispenser for retaining items such as dog waste bags, tissues, or disposable gloves. These items stored within the dispenser may be retrieved via an opening in the horizontal panel 80.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different embodiments are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented. 

1. A cabinet, comprising: a housing with an open front portion; a false interior rear wall defining an electrical line routing space; and an electronic device supporting top tray communicating with the electrical line routing space.
 2. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the electrical line routing space further comprises at least one electrical line to provide power to at least one electronic device resting on the top tray of the cabinet.
 3. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein the at least one electrical line is an extension cord splitting one power source into at least two power sources.
 4. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein the at least one electrical line is fastened to the cabinet by way of at least one fastening device.
 5. The cabinet of claim 4, wherein the at least one fastening device comprises a cable management clip, a hook, Velcro, double sided tape, glue, or a combination thereof.
 6. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein the at least one electronic device includes an electric cable that may extend through an opening in the top tray into the electrical line routing space to connect to the at least one electrical line.
 7. The cabinet of claim 6, wherein the opening in the top tray includes a cable management grommet.
 8. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further comprises at least one support.
 9. The cabinet of claim 8, wherein the at least one support is a storage shelf.
 10. The cabinet of claim 8, wherein the at least one support is a lower storage shelf and at least one upper storage shelf.
 11. The cabinet of claim 10, wherein the lower storage shelf rests upon a rear wood support block and a front wood support block.
 12. The cabinet of claim 11, wherein the lower storage shelf is bent downwards at the front to conceal the front wood support block.
 13. The cabinet of claim 10, wherein the at least one upper storage shelf is fastened to the housing by way of at least one fastening device.
 14. The cabinet of claim 13, wherein the at least one fastening device comprises a bracket, a screw, a nail, a wood biscuit, a wood dowel, glue, or a combination thereof.
 15. The cabinet of claim 10, wherein the at least one upper storage shelf is used to store various pet items, and wherein the at least one upper storage shelf is bent upwards at the front for containment of the various pet items.
 16. The cabinet of claim 8, wherein the at least one support is a drawer.
 17. The cabinet of claim 16, wherein the drawer is comprised of a front drawer panel, a rear drawer panel, two side drawer panels, a bottom drawer panel, and a pair of drawer slides.
 18. The cabinet of claim 17, wherein the drawer further comprises a decorative drawer front.
 19. The cabinet of claim 17, wherein the pair of drawer slides are fastened to the side drawer panels and the cabinet housing.
 20. The cabinet of claim 17, wherein the drawer further comprises a dispenser.
 21. The cabinet of claim 20, wherein the dispenser is a removable L-shaped dispenser, comprised of a vertical panel, a horizontal panel, and an opening within the horizontal panel.
 22. The cabinet of claim 20, wherein the dispenser is used to dispense dog waste bags, tissues, disposable gloves, or a combination thereof.
 23. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further comprises a tray base.
 24. The cabinet of claim 23, wherein the tray base is fastened to the false interior rear wall by way of at least one fastening device.
 25. The cabinet of claim 24, wherein the at least one fastening device comprises a bracket, a screw, a nail, a wood biscuit, a wood dowel, glue, or a combination thereof.
 26. The cabinet of claim 24, wherein the top tray rests upon the tray base, and wherein the top tray is fastened to the tray base by way of at least one fastening device.
 27. The cabinet of claim 26, wherein the at least one fastening device comprises a magnet, Velcro, glue, double sided tape, a screw, a nail, or a combination thereof.
 28. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the top tray is upholstered.
 29. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is further comprised of laminated wood.
 30. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the housing is U-shaped throughout its axial height.
 31. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the housing is V-shaped throughout its axial height.
 32. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the false interior rear wall is moveable.
 33. A method of making a cabinet, comprising: providing a housing with an open front portion; mounting to the housing a false interior rear wall defining an electrical line routing space; and mounting to the housing an electronic device supporting top tray communicating with the electrical line routing space. 